The history of Providence based manufacturer of gold-filled jewelry Louis Stern Co dates back to 1871. Noteworthy, a future prominent jewelry manufacturer Louis Stern (1858 – 1929) was only 13. The Louis Stern Company went through three wars and the reconstruction periods that followed, through four depressions, through good and bad times.

Born in New York city in 1858, Stern entered the jewelry business as an office boy for the Davidson Co, and later went on the road for that concern. After several years as a salesman, Louis Stern purchased Mr. Bennett’s interest in Young & Bennett and firm was known as Young & Stern.

Doing business in Attleboro for several years, Louis Stern bought out Mr. Young’s interest in the firm and removed the business to Providence.

In 1914, he incorporated the business as the Louis Stern Co and continued as its president and sales manager. Stern retired in 1927 and turned the office over to his son, Paul M Stern, while he was made chairman of the board of directors.

Paul M Stern

Stern founded the business in 1871 in Providence and was the active head of the firm until his death. Louis Stern died of a sudden heart attack at his home in Philadelphia on March 4, 1929, and his wife died about eight months ago. Their children continued the family business headed by their son Paul M Stern as president.

Also, their three daughters – James H. Oppenheimer as secretary and treasurer, Leonard Meyers and Florence Stern.

Factory and offices

Louis Stern had offices in New York (9 Maiden Lane), Chicago (29 E. Madison St), and Philadelphia (700 Chestnut St). In addition, the company maintained an office in the Washington Square building. Stern was affiliated with the Masonic Order, Ledger Club, the Elks, the Mercantile Club, and the Jewelers’ Club of Philadelphia and in Providence.

His firm was a member of the Manufacturing Jewelers’ Association. In his early years he traveled extensively for his company and was widely known to jewelers all over the country.

Jewelry Designer Lawrence M Bayan

In the 1930s, one of the designers who worked for Louis Stern Co, and its division, Waite-Evans Mfg Co was Lawrence M Bayan. He previously designed jewelry for the leading New York jewelry manufacturers. Besides, he taught the jewelry design in the Fawcett School of Industrial Art in Newark, and the State Vocational Department in Providence.

He wrote many articles on jewelry subjects for trade publications and newspapers and holds numerous jewelry construction patterns. A recognized authority in his field, Bayan has created a number of very impressive new lines of jewelry for Louis Stern Co.

All Louis Stern’ merchandise was originally created by Lawrence M. Bayan, factory manager and designer. The company gained its first national recognition as the maker of the famous “Wristacrat” watch attachment. In addition, the lines have been expanded to include popular jewelry items such as “Glamour” expansion bracelets and “Lustern Hand Crafted” jewelry. Also, “Dainty Maid” children’s jewelry and a complete line of rosaries and crosses.

Trademarks

Ads and Jewelry by Louis Stern